MILFORD CARE CENTRE BENEFIT NIGHT PRODUCES EXCEPTIONAL RACING
Peter Farrell
The Milford Care Centre benefit night took place last night at Limerick Greyhound Stadium and those in attendance were treated to some mouth-watering action on track with no shortage of exceptional performance on show.
In terms of the Open race action the place to start is race six, which was the Gearys John Deere/Brian Geary Toyota Open 350, as Burgess Jack claimed a brilliant victory. Owned by Sarah Shannon, the son of Burgess Bucks and Droopys Dargle came to Limerick fresh from an exceptional performance at Cork and he carried on his purple patch in some style. Running from trap one, the 2/1 second favourite was well away and showed sensational early dash to take control approaching the opener. From here, ‘Jack’ set a fierce gallop to cross the line three and a half lengths clear of Ballinakill Alf in second. The time was an electric 18.43, which is just under one length outside the track record.
HOLLAND DOUBLE
Graham Holland enjoyed a fine double on the card and this was kick-started by the hugely fast Gaytime Hugo in the T Nolans Scania St. Leger Trial Stake Open 550.
The 6/4 joint favourite along with Annagh Bailey and Bling Bling Paul. Gaytime Hugo was only moderately into stride and was forced to settle for fourth early on as he nestled in behind a closely knit pack. Owned by Stephanie O’Connell, ‘Hugo’ showed massive speed down the far side however, and quickly stormed to the front to hold a two length lead passing the sprint box. From here, it was all over as a contest as the son of Gaytime Hawk raced clear to record five and a half length success over Deadly Jet in second. The time was 29.56 for the 550-yards.
The Cellar Bar Abbeyfeale Open 750 had very much the look of a two-dog affair between Jacktavern Bella (Droopys Sydney - Lemon Ariana) and Hukum but it was the latter who produced a masterclass of marathon running. Sent to traps as the 5/4 second favourite behind Hukum (4/5), ‘Bella’ was narrowly headed by Nocturnal Katla but quickly asserted between the opening two bends. From here, it was a straightforward assignment for the English St. Leger runner-up as she galloped clear to win by six and a half lengths from Voyage Bono in second. The time was a slick 41.47.
SWEET MUSIC
After reaching the BoyleSports Irish Greyhound Derby in late September, Music Glideaway was expected to go close in the Coolavanny Kennels St. Leger Trial Stake in race ten and he duly obliged at odds of 5/4.
Running for Pat Guilfoyle and the Pension-Plan-Syndicate, Music Glideaway was quickly into stride from trap six as he posted a 2.91 sectional and he led into the opener from Clonbrien Treaty in second. There was a certain inevitability about the result thereafter as Music Glideaway, a stout stayer, set a brilliant gallop down the back and although Droopys Bro made a fine fist of it in second, the son of Newinn Taylor and Glideaway Music was two and a half lengths too strong at the finish. The time was 29.73.
KNOCKOUT BLOW FROM RAMBO
The penultimate race on the card was the Pet Barn Newcastlewest Open 525 and this was landed in expert style by Liam Peacock’s Bogger Rambo.
A runner-up in the Tipperary Cup back in July, Bogger Rambo had produced some sensational performances around both Cork and Clonmel since and he added Limerick to the list with a really likeable display. A 2/1 chance at the off, ‘Rambo’ broke quickest from trap one and showed lovely early speed on the rails to round the opener in control. Setting a ferocious gallop down the back, the son of Skywalker Logan and Bogger Sunny was never under threat as he crossed the line two and a half lengths clear of Faypoint Jet in second. The time was a rapid 28.29.
CHEERO QUICKEST IN ARACHAS 600
Elsewhere on the card, the three semi finals of the Arachas Corporate Brokers Ltd A1 600 were up for grabs and it was Cheero who bounced back from opening round defeat to go quickest.
Trained by Matthew Harte, Cheero was forced to settle for second last weekend as Newport Pier prevailed, however, he was to reverse that form this time around. The 7/4 second favourite behind his rival, the son of Droopys Jet appreciated the long run-up as he led from trap five. Setting a smart gallop thereafter, Newport Pier could never get to Cheero as he stayed on stoutly to record a one and a half length success. The time was 32.57.
Next best in terms of the clock was the David Murray-trained Typical Bono (Broadstrand Bono - Glideaway Babe), who continued his unbeaten run through the stake. The 4/6 favourite at the off, he once again was swiftly into stride wearing the stripes and in doing so, quickly asserted over his rivals. Macbally Anton stayed on very well in behind but he was still two lengths adrift over Typical Bono at the
The remaining semi was won by Millroad Victory (Ballymac Best - Coolowen Victory) who also maintained her unbeaten status with another off-the-pace victory. Owned by Richard Lanigan, the 5/4 favourite was led by Ballyelan Sonic in the early yards but took up the mantle at the halfway mark. Setting a decent gallop thereafter, Beaming Becca kept the leader honest, however, she fell short by one and a half lengths as Millroad Victory claimed success. The time was 32.86.
HONEYPOUND REMAINS UNBEATEN
Race two saw the final of the Deerjet Sydney/Glengar Bale @ Stud Novice 525, worth €900 to the winner, reach its conclusion.
Owned by Michael Carmody, Honeypound Shela landed her semi final assignment in 29.60 and she was installed as a 6/4 chance to build on that victory. Running from trap one, the September daughter of Good News came away well but was headed by Ballygibba Liv early on. The latter continued to lead for the majority until ‘Shela’ upped the ante off the final bend to score. Staying on strongly, she was three and a half lengths too strong as the clock returned 29.62.